Pin joint for a machine

ABSTRACT

A pin joint for a machine is provided. The pin joint includes a housing. The pin joint further includes a pin at least partly received within the housing, the pin having an outer surface. The pin joint also includes a bearing member coupled to the housing, the bearing member having an inner surface facing the outer surface of the pin. The pin joint further includes an insert member axially retained between the bearing member and the pin, the insert member having an inner surface contacting the outer surface of the pin and an outer surface contacting the inner surface of the bearing member. The inner surface of the insert member is configured to freely rotate relative to the outer surface of the pin and the outer surface of the insert member is configured to freely rotate relative to the inner surface of the bearing member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to a pin joint, and more particularlyto a pin joint for a machine.

BACKGROUND

Machines with earth moving or material handling capabilities, such aswheel loaders, track loaders, backhoes and the like, typically include amovable implement attached by a linkage assembly to a frame. Suchlinkage assemblies include one or more pin joints for allowing pivotalmovement between various components. Pivotal joints include a pin and abearing mounted within bores of the components for supporting pivotalmovement.

The bearing and the pin may experience wear during operation. Inparticular, various interfacing surfaces between the pin and the bearingmay experience galling due to adhesion between the surfaces. This maylead to failure of either the bearing or the pin or both at one or moreinterfacing surfaces. Failed components may be expensive to replace.Further, replacement of the components may also require special toolsand be time consuming

U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,458 describes a coupling device for equipmentimplements. The coupling device does not impair the lubricity of bearingsections when the equipment is in service, does not cause seizure duringrotation of bearings, does not need frequent feeding of grease to thebearing sections from outside, and provides good noise absorbability.The structure of the coupling device includes a metal based contactmaterial capable of storing a lubricating oil and/or lubricant isinterposed between an implement bushing made from steel and implementpin of an implement for construction equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a pin joint for a machine isprovided. The pin joint includes a housing. The pin joint furtherincludes a pin at least partly received within the housing, the pinhaving an outer surface. The pin joint also includes a bearing membercoupled to the housing, the bearing member having an inner surfacefacing the outer surface of the pin. The pin joint includes an insertmember axially retained between the bearing member and the pin, theinsert member having an inner surface contacting the outer surface ofthe pin and an outer surface contacting the inner surface of the bearingmember. The inner surface of the insert member is configured to freelyrotate relative to the outer surface of the pin and the outer surface ofthe insert member is configured to freely rotate relative to the innersurface of the bearing member.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is provided. Themachine includes a frame. The machine further includes an implementsystem coupled to the frame. The implement system includes a firstimplement member, a second implement member, and a pin joint pivotallycoupling the second implement member to the first implement member. Thepin joint comprises a first housing connected to the first implementmember. The pin joint includes a second housing provided adjacent to thefirst housing, the second housing being connected to the secondimplement member. The pin joint also includes a pin at least partlyreceived within the first housing and the second housing, the pin havingan outer surface. The pin joint includes a bearing member coupled to thesecond housing, the bearing member having an inner surface facing theouter surface of the pin. The pin joint further includes an insertmember axially retained between the bearing member and the pin, theinsert member having an inner surface contacting the outer surface ofthe pin and an outer surface contacting the inner surface of the bearingmember. The inner surface of the insert member is configured to freelyrotate relative to the outer surface of the pin and the outer surface ofthe insert member is configured to freely rotate relative to the innersurface of the bearing member.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for assemblinga pin joint having a housing is provided. The method includes providinga pin at least partly within the housing. The method further includespress fitting an outer surface of a bearing member to the housing. Themethod also includes providing an insert member between an inner surfaceof the bearing member and an outer surface of a pin. The method includesproviding a sliding fit between an outer surface of the insert memberand an inner surface of the bearing member. The method further includesproviding a sliding fit between an inner surface of the insert memberand an outer surface of the pin. The method includes axially retainingthe insert member between the bearing member and pin.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary machine with a pin jointconnecting a first implement member to a second implement member,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the pin joint, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the pin joint, according to yet anotherembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pin joint, according to a furtherembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insert member of the pin joint,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for assembling the pinjoint, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. FIG. 1 representsan exemplary machine 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the machine 100may be a wheel loader. It should be understood that the machine 100 mayalternatively include other machines used in various industries, such asmining, transportation, construction, forestry, agriculture, and thelike. Further, the machine 100 may be, for example, but not limited to,an excavator, a back hoe loader, a dozer and the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, the machine 100 may include a chassis and/or aframe 102 with a front portion 104. A powertrain or a drivetrain (notshown) may be provided on the machine 100 for the production andtransmission of motive power. The powertrain may include a power sourcewhich may be located within an enclosure 106 of the machine 100. Thepower source may include one or more engines, power plants or otherpower delivery systems such as batteries, hybrid engines, and the like.It should be noted that the power source may also be external to themachine 100. A set of ground engaging members 108, such as wheels, mayalso be provided on the machine 100 for the purpose of mobility. Thepowertrain may further include a torque converter, transmissioninclusive of gearing, drive shaft and other known drive links providedbetween the power source and the set of ground engaging members 108 forthe transmission of motive power. Further, the machine 100 includes anoperator cabin 110 which may house controls for operating the machine100.

The machine 100 further includes an implement system 111 coupled to thefront portion 104 of the frame 102. The frame 102 includes a firstimplement member 120 extending from the front portion 104. Further, thefirst implement member 120 may be a stationary part of the front portion104 of the frame 102. The first implement member 120 includes spacedflanges 112 (shown in FIG. 2). A pin joint 116 may pivotally connect asecond implement member 114, in the form of a lift arm, to the flanges112 of the first implement member 120. One or more hydraulic orpneumatic cylinders (not shown) may actuate the second implement member114 relative to the first implement member 120.

Referring to FIG. 1, an implement 124, in the form of a bucket, may bepivotally connected to the second implement member 114 by a pin joint117. Further, a tilt linkage assembly 126 is connected to the implement124. The tilt linkage assembly 126 includes a cylinder 128 configured toextend or retract the tilt linkage assembly 126. The tilt linkageassembly 126 may enable the implement 124 to be pivoted relative to thesecond implement member 114. During an operation of the machine 100, thesecond implement member 114 and the tilt linkage assembly 126 may bemoved to different positions in order to perform various tasks, such asexcavation, lifting, dumping, and the like.

The implement system 111, as described above, is for illustrativepurposes only, and various alternative implement systems including oneor more pin joints may be contemplated within the scope of the presentdisclosure. The implement system 111 may vary based on the type of themachine 100 and the operations to be performed. For example, theimplement system 111 may include a dipper, an arm and a boom.

The pin joint 116 may enable pivotal movement of the second implementmember 114 relative to the first implement member 120. Similarly, thepin joint 117 may enable pivotal movement of the implement 124 relativeto the second implement member 114. It may be contemplated that variousfeatures of the pin joint 116 may also be implemented in the pin joint117. Various details of the pin joint 116 will be now describedhereinafter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the pin joint 116, according toan embodiment of the present disclosure. The pin joint 116 pivotallyconnects the second implement member 114, to the spaced flanges 112 ofthe first implement member 120, about a pivot axis P-P′. Each of thespaced apart flanges 112 may include first housings 201. The firsthousings 201 may be substantially cylindrical about the pivot axis P-P′.The first housings 201 defines axially aligned bores 202. The secondimplement member 114 includes a second housing 204. The second housing204 may be substantially cylindrical about the pivot axis P-P′. Thesecond housing 204 defines an elongate bore 206 axially aligned with thebores 202. In an embodiment, the first housings 201 are stationary andthe second housing 204 is pivotal relative to the first housings 201.

The pin joint 116 includes a pin 208 at least partly received within thebores 202 and the elongate bore 206 of the first housings 201 and thesecond housing 204, respectively. A longitudinal axis of the pin 208 maybe aligned with the pivot axis P-P′. The pin 208 has an outer surface210.

The pin 208 may extend through the bores 202 and the elongate bore 206.The pin 208 may be axially retained within the first housings 201 andthe second housing 204. As shown in FIG. 2, a plate 219, coupled to eachof the first housing 201 by fasteners 221, may axially retain the pin208. In an embodiment, the pin 208 may also be rotationally retainedthrough the plate 219. The rotational retention of the pin 208 may beachieved by welding, mechanical fasteners or any other known methods.Further, the plate 219 may also absorb thrust loads exerted by the pin208.

The pin joint 116 further includes a bearing member 214. The bearingmember 214 may have a substantially hollow cylindrical shape having afirst end 215 and a second end 217. The bearing member 214 includes aninner surface 216 and an outer surface 218 extending between the firstend 215 and second end 217. The bearing member 214 may be co-axiallyreceived within the elongate bore 206 of the second housing 204. Theouter surface 218 of the bearing member 214 is coupled to the secondhousing 204. In an embodiment, the outer surface 218 of the bearingmember 214 may be press-fitted to the second housing 204. In anotherexample, the bearing member 214 may be secured to the second housing 204by processes such as welding, adhesives, fasteners, and the like. Asshown in FIG. 2, the inner surface 216 of the bearing member 214 facesthe outer surface 210 of the pin 208. In an embodiment, the innersurface 216 of the bearing member 214 may include a coating 220. In anembodiment, the coating 220 may be a lubricant coating. The lubricantcoating may be at least one of graphite, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),and molybdenum disulfide. In another embodiment, the coating 220 may bea wear resistant coating. The wear resistant coating may be at least oneof High Velocity Oxy Fuel (HVOF) chrome carbide, and laser cladstainless steel. In yet another embodiment, the coating 220 may be acomposite coating containing elemental molybdenum (Mo), for example,Cu-15Ni-8Sn and Mo, brass and Mo etc. The coating 220 may be provided bythermal spraying, laser cladding, or any other known methods. Thebearing member 214 further includes at least one shoulder portion 222and at least one groove portion 224. The groove portion 224 and theshoulder portion 222 are disposed proximate to the first end 215 andsecond end 217 respectively, of the bearing member 214. The shoulderportion 222 may extend radially towards the outer surface 210 of the pin208.

The pin joint 116 further includes an insert member 226. The insertmember 226 may have a substantially hollow cylindrical shape having theinner surface 228, an outer surface 230, a first lateral surface 232,and a second lateral surface 234. The first lateral surface 232 isdistal to the second lateral surface 234 along the pivot axis P-P′. Theinsert member 226 may be co-axially received within the elongate bore206 of the second housing 204. The first lateral surface 232 and thesecond lateral surface 234 are substantially perpendicular to the pivotaxis P-P′. Further, the second lateral surface 234 is adjacent to theshoulder portion 222 and the first lateral surface 232 is adjacent tothe groove portion 224. The insert member 226 may be manufactured usingany method known in the art, such as extrusion, casting, molding etc. Inan embodiment, the insert member 226 may be one of a machined metal tubestock bearing, an extruded plastic tube stock bearing, laminatedbi-metallic bearing, powdered metal bearing and composite non-metallicbearing (e.g., a fiber and resin composite). The insert member 226 maybe made of suitable bearing material such as, steel, bronze, plasticetc. In an embodiment, each of the inner surface 228, the outer surface230, the first lateral surface 232, and the second lateral surface 234may include a coating 236. In an alternative embodiment, the innersurface 228 and the outer surface 230 may include the coating 236, andthe first and second lateral surfaces 232, 234 may not include acoating. In an embodiment, the coating 236 may be a lubricant coating.The lubricant coating may be at least one of graphite,Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and molybdenum disulfide. In anotherembodiment, the coating 236 may be a wear resistant coating. The wearresistant coating may be at least one of High Velocity Oxy Fuel (HVOF)chrome carbide, and laser clad stainless steel. In yet anotherembodiment, the coating 236 may be a composite coating containingelemental molybdenum (Mo), for example, Cu-15Ni-8Sn and Mo, brass and Moetc. The coating 236 may be provided by thermal spraying, lasercladding, or any other known methods.

The insert member 226 is disposed between the outer surface 210 of thepin 208 and the inner surface 216 of the bearing member 214. In anembodiment, the insert member 226 may be disposed between the pin 208and the bearing member 214 by a zero clearance fit. Due to the zeroclearance fit, a diameter of the outer surface 210 of the pin may besubstantially equal to a diameter of the inner surface 228 of the insertmember 226 along with the coating 236. Further, a diameter of the innersurface 216 of the bearing member 214 may be substantially equal to adiameter of the outer surface 230 of the insert member 226 along withthe coating 236. The zero clearance fit may be configured to become asliding fit between the insert member 226, and the pin 208 and thebearing member 214 during relative movement between the first housing201 and the second housing 204 during an operation of the machine 100.In an alternative embodiment, the insert member 226 may be disposedbetween the bearing member 214 and the pin 208 by a sliding fit. Thesliding fit between the insert member 226 and the pin 208 may enable aninner surface 228 of the insert member 226 to rotate freely relative tothe outer surface 210 of the pin. Similarly, the sliding fit between theinsert member 226 and the bearing member 214 may enable the insertmember 226 to rotate freely relative to the inner surface 218 of thebearing member 214.

In an embodiment, the insert member 226 is axially retained in the pinjoint 116 by a retaining system 238. The retaining system 238 mayconstrain an axial movement of the insert member 226 along the pivotaxis P-P′. The axial movement of the insert member 226 at the secondlateral surface 234 is constrained by the shoulder portion 222. A thrustwasher 242 may also be disposed between the shoulder portion 222 and thesecond lateral surface 234. Alternatively, the thrust washer 242 may notbe present. An axial movement of the insert member 226 at the firstlateral surface 232 may be restrained by a retaining ring 240 and thethrust washer 242. The retaining ring 240 is configured to be detachablyreceived in the groove portion 224 of the bearing member 214. In anexample, the retaining ring 240 may be a stamped or spiral wound steelring or the like. The thrust washer 242 is disposed between the firstlateral surface 232 and the retaining ring 240. The thrust washers 242may include a coating 243. In an embodiment, the coating 243 may be alubricant coating. The lubricant coating may be at least one ofgraphite, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and molybdenum disulfide. Inanother embodiment, the coating 243 may be a wear resistant coating. Thewear resistant coating may be at least one of High Velocity Oxy Fuel(HVOF) chrome carbide, and laser clad stainless steel. In yet anotherembodiment, the coating 243 may be a composite coating containingelemental molybdenum (Mo), for example, Cu-15Ni-8Sn and Mo, brass and Moetc. The coating 243 may be provided by thermal spraying, lasercladding, or any other known methods. Further, the thrust washers 242may be made of bronze. Alternatively, the thrust washers 242 may notinclude any coating.

Further in an embodiment, the pin joint 116 includes a plurality ofseals 244. In an example, the plurality of seals 244 may be lip sealspressed into opposing ends of the bearing member 214. As shown in FIG.2, the seals 244 are disposed on the bearing member 214 adjacent to theshoulder portion 222 and the groove portion 224. The seals 244 areconfigured to maintain a fluid tight seal between the pin 208 and thebearing member 214. The seals 244 may be configured to restrict entry ofdebris, dust, or any other foreign material from entering the elongatebore 206 of the second housing 204. In an embodiment, the lip seals 244may be detachably coupled to the bearing member 214. The seals 244 andthe retaining ring 240 may be conveniently detached from the bearingmember 214 in order to replace the insert member 226.

The pin joint 116, as described above, is exemplary in nature andvariations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Inan example, a lubricant, such as grease may be used in addition to thecoatings 220, 236, 243 of the pin 208, the bearing member 214, theinsert member 226 and the thrust washers 242, respectively.Alternatively, the coatings may not be present, and grease or any othersuitable lubricant may be used to provide lubrication.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a pin joint 500, according to yetanother embodiment of the present disclosure. A bearing member 502 ofthe pin joint 500 includes a first groove portion 504 and a secondgroove portion 506 proximate to a first end 508 and a second end 510,respectively. A retaining system 512 for the insert member 226 includesthe retaining rings 240 disposed in the first and second groove portions504, 506. In such a configuration, the insert member 226 may be replacedby removing the seals 244 and the retaining rings 240 from one of thefirst end 508 and the second end 510 of the bearing member 502.

FIG. 4 illustrates a pin joint 600, according to a further embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The pin joint 600 includes a first housing 602and second housings 604 located on both sides of the first housing 602.In an embodiment, the first housing 602 is stationary and the secondhousings 604 are pivotal relative to the first housing 602. The firstand second housings 602, 604 define aligned bores 606, 608 therein,respectively. Further, a pin 610 is at least partly received withinaligned bores 606 and 608. The pin 610 includes a shoulder portion 612adjacent to the first lateral surface 232 of the insert member 226.Further, a plate 614 may be coupled to the second housing 604 via thefasteners 616. In an embodiment, the plate 614 may include a coating 618facing the second lateral surface 234 of the inert member 226. Theretaining system 620 for the insert member 226 includes the shoulderportion 612 of the pin 610 and the plate 614. Further, a bearing member622 includes a coating 626 on an inner surface 624 of the insert member226. In an embodiment, the coating 618, 626 may be a lubricant coating.The lubricant coating may be at least one of graphite,Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and molybdenum disulfide. In anotherembodiment, the coating 618, 626 may be a wear resistant coating. Thewear resistant coating may be at least one of High Velocity Oxy Fuel(HVOF) chrome carbide, and laser clad stainless steel. In yet anotherembodiment, the coating 618, 626 may be a composite coating containingelemental molybdenum (Mo), for example, Cu-15Ni-8Sn and Mo, brass and Moetc. The coating 618, 626 may be provided by thermal spraying, lasercladding, or any other known methods. The insert member 226 may bereplaced by detaching the plate 614 from the second housing 604.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an insert member 700, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. The insert member 700 may beused with one or more of the pin joints 116, 500, 600 described above.In an embodiment, the insert member 700 may be a roll formed insert withuniform thickness, i.e., the insert member 700 is manufactured by rollforming a flat metal plate of suitable bearing material to achieve asubstantially hollow cylindrical shape. The roll formed ends of the flatplate defines a gap 702 between them. A width of the gap 702 may bevaried based on various manufacturing and design requirements. Theinsert member 700 may be made of suitable material, such as steel,bronze, aluminum, laminated bi-metals etc. In another example, theinsert member 700 may be a roll formed plastic. Further in anembodiment, the insert member 700 includes a plurality of channels 704extending between an inner surface 706 and an outer surface 708 thereof.The plurality of channels 704 may be configured to receive and retain alubricant between the insert member 700 and other interfacing componentsof the pin joints 116, 500, 600. The channels 704 may also allow a flowof lubricant between the inner and outer surfaces 706, 708 of the insertmember 700. This may allow uniform distribution of the lubricant aroundthe insert member 700. In various alternative embodiments, the insertmember 700 may include a plurality of recesses, indentations, pockets,and the like on at least one of the inner surface 706 and the outersurface 708. Further, the insert member 700 may also include a lubricantcoating or a wear resistant coating (not shown) on one or more surfaces.The various structural features, such as the channels 704, and thelubricant coating or wear resistant coating may be first provided on theflat plate and subsequently, the flat plate may be roll formed to obtainthe insert member 700.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is related to pin joints 116, 500, 600 for amachine 100. The pin joints 116, 500, 600 may pivotally connect thefirst implement member 120 with the second implement member 114 of theimplement system 111 of the machine 100. An exemplary operation of thepin joint 116 will be described hereinafter.

During a pivotal movement of the second implement member 114 relative tothe first implement member 120, the second housing 204 may rotaterelative to the first housings 201. The bearing member 214 may supportsuch rotation of the second housing 204. The inner surface 216 of thebearing member 214 and the outer surface 230 of the insert member 226may be freely rotatable relative to each other due to the sliding fittherebetween. Further, the coatings 220 and 236 on the bearing member214 and the insert member 226, respectively, may minimize friction andwear. Further, the inner surface 228 of the insert member 226 may befreely rotatable relative to the outer surface 210 of the pin 208 die tothe sliding fit therebetween. Further, the coating 236 on the insertmember 226 may minimize friction and wear. The coating 243 on the thrustwashers 242 may also minimize friction and wear between the thrustwashers 242 and the other interfacing components of the pin joint 116.

The insert member 226 may prevent direct contact between the bearingmember 214 and the pin 208 as the insert member 226 is disposedtherebetween. This may prevent galling between the bearing member 214and the pin 208. Further, a material of the insert member 226 may bechosen such that the insert member 226 acts as a sacrificial component,thereby preventing substantial wear and/or failure of the bearing member214 and the pin 208. Therefore, maintenance and/or replacement costs ofthe bearing member 214 and the pin 208 may be reduced. The materialand/or design of the insert member 226 may also be selected based ondesign requirements of the pin joint 116. For example, based onlubrication requirements, inner and outer surfaces 228, 230 may bemodified by providing recesses, pockets, and the like. Moreover, theinsert member 226 may enable two separate sliding interfaces on theinner and outer surfaces 228, 230 thereof. Therefore, in case there is afailure and/or adhesion at one of the sliding interfaces, the othersliding surface may enable a functioning of the pin joint 116.

Further, the pin joint 116 may also be conveniently assembled and/ordisassembled. This may facilitate replacement of the insert member 226.The insert member 226 may require periodic replacement due to wear. Thepresent disclosure is also related to a method of assembling the pinjoint 116. FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method 800 for assemblingthe pin joint 116, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.At step 802, the method 800 includes providing a pin 208 at least partlywithin the first housing 201 and the second housing 204. The pin 208 isdisposed co-axially with respect to the pivot axis P-P′.

At step 804, the method 800 includes providing an insert member 226between the inner surface 216 of the bearing member 214 and the outersurface 210 of the pin 208. At step 806, the method 800 includesproviding a sliding fit between the outer surface 230 of the insertmember 226 and the inner surface 216 of the bearing member 214. At step808, the method 800 includes providing a sliding fit between the innersurface 228 of the insert member 226 and the outer surface 210 of thepin 208. In an alternative embodiment, the insert member 226 may bedisposed between the pin 208 and the bearing member 214 by a zeroclearance fit. The zero clearance fit may be configured to become asliding fit during operation of the pin joint 116.

At step 810, the method 800 includes axially retaining the insert member226 between the pin 208 and the bearing member 214. As explainedearlier, the insert member 226 may be axially retained within the pinjoint 116 via the retaining system 238. In case of the pin joints 500,600, the insert member 226 may be axially retained by the respectiveretaining systems 512, 620. The seals 244 may then attached to theinsert member 226. The plate 219 may be then coupled to the firsthousing 201 via the fasteners 221.

A method of disassembling the pin joint 116 for replacement of theinsert member 226 may include removing the plate 219 from the firsthousing 201. The pin 208 may be then slid out of the first and secondhousings 201, 204. The seals 244 may be then removed from the insertmember 226. The retaining ring 240 is detached from the groove portion224. The thrust washer 242 may then removed. Subsequently, the insertmember 226 is removed from the first and second housings 201, 204. A newinsert member (not shown) may be the inserted within the second housing204 and the pin joint 116 assembled accordingly. Thus, the pin joint 116may allow easy and quick replacement of the insert member 226 withoutrequiring any special tools, such as a hydraulic press.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may becontemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems andmethods without departing from the spirit and scope of what isdisclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within thescope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims andany equivalents thereof

What is claimed is:
 1. A pin joint for a machine, the pin jointcomprising: a housing; a pin at least partly received within thehousing, the pin having an outer surface; a bearing member coupled tothe housing, the bearing member having an inner surface facing the outersurface of the pin; and an insert member axially retained between thebearing member and the pin, the insert member having an inner surfacecontacting the outer surface of the pin and an outer surface contactingthe inner surface of the bearing member, wherein the inner surface ofthe insert member is configured to freely rotate relative to the outersurface of the pin and the outer surface of the insert member isconfigured to freely rotate relative to the inner surface of the bearingmember.
 2. The pin joint of claim 1, wherein the insert member isdisposed between the pin and the bearing member by a sliding fit.
 3. Thepin joint of claim 1, wherein the insert member is disposed between thepin and the bearing member by a zero clearance fit, the zero clearancefit is configured to become a sliding fit during operation of the pinjoint.
 4. The pin joint of claim 1, wherein the insert member is atleast one of a roll formed bearing, machined metal tube stock bearing,extruded plastic tube stock bearing, laminated bi-metallic bearing,powdered metal bearing and composite non-metallic bearing.
 5. The pinjoint of claim 1, wherein the insert member comprises at least one of aplurality of recesses and a plurality of channels, the plurality ofrecesses and the plurality of channels configured to receive a lubricanttherein.
 6. The pin joint of claim 1 further comprises a retainingsystem detachably coupled to the bearing member, the retaining systemdisposed adjacent to a first lateral surface of the insert member andconfigured to axially retain the insert member at the first lateralsurface thereof.
 7. The pin joint of claim 6, wherein the retainingsystem comprises a retaining ring and a thrust washer.
 8. The pin jointof claim 6, wherein the retaining system comprises a plate coupled tothe housing.
 9. The pin joint of claim 6, wherein the bearing membercomprises a shoulder portion adjacent to a second lateral surface of theinsert member distal to the first lateral surface, the shoulder portionconfigured to axially retain the insert member at the second lateralsurface thereof.
 10. The pin joint of claim 6, wherein the pin comprisesa shoulder portion adjacent to a second lateral surface of the insertmember distal to the first lateral surface, the shoulder portionconfigured to axially retain the insert member at the second lateralsurface thereof.
 11. The pin joint of claim 1, wherein the insert memberfurther comprises at least one of a lubricant coating and a wearresistant coating disposed on the inner surface and the outer surfacethereof.
 12. The pin joint of claim 11, wherein the lubricant coating isat least one of graphite, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and molybdenumdisulfide
 13. The pin joint of claim 11, wherein the wear resistantcoating is at least one of High Velocity Oxy Fuel (HVOF) chrome carbide,laser clad stainless steel, and composite coatings containing elementalmolybdenum.
 14. The pin joint of claim 1, wherein the bearing member ispress fitted to the housing.
 15. A machine comprising: a frame; and animplement system coupled to the frame, wherein the implement systemcomprises a first implement member, a second implement member, a pinjoint pivotally coupling the second implement member to the firstimplement member, the pin joint comprising: a first housing connected tothe first implement member; a second housing provided adjacent to thefirst housing, the second housing being connected to the secondimplement member; a pin at least partly received within the firsthousing and the second housing, the pin having an outer surface; abearing member coupled to the second housing, the bearing member havingan inner surface facing the outer surface of the pin; and an insertmember axially retained between the bearing member and the pin, theinsert member having an inner surface contacting the outer surface ofthe pin and an outer surface contacting the inner surface of the bearingmember, wherein the inner surface of the insert member is configured tofreely rotate relative to the outer surface of the pin and the outersurface of the insert member is configured to freely rotate relative tothe inner surface of the bearing member.
 16. The machine of claim 15,wherein the insert member is disposed between the pin and the bearingmember by a sliding fit.
 17. The machine of claim 15, wherein the insertmember is disposed between the pin and the bearing member by a zeroclearance fit, the zero clearance fit is configured to become a slidingfit during operation of the pin joint.
 18. The machine of claim 15,wherein the insert member comprises at least one of a plurality ofrecesses and a plurality of channels, the plurality of recesses and theplurality of channels configured to receive a lubricant therein.
 19. Themachine of claim 15, wherein the pin joint further comprises a retainingsystem detachably coupled to the bearing member, the retaining systemdisposed adjacent to a first lateral surface of the insert member andconfigured to axially retain the insert member at the lateral surfacethereof.
 20. A method of assembling a pin joint having a housing, themethod comprising: providing a pin at least partly within the housing;providing an insert member between an inner surface of a bearing memberand an outer surface of the pin, the bearing member being secured to thehousing; providing a sliding fit between an outer surface of the insertmember and the inner surface of the bearing member; providing a slidingfit between an inner surface of the insert member and the outer surfaceof the pin; and axially retaining the insert member between the bearingmember and the pin.